Tag: xbox one
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Destiny 2’s Exotics Are Changing in Upcoming Update

Fans of those rare bright yellow orbs will be excited to hear that Bungie is hard at work fixing some of the issues players had with Destiny 2’s Exotics. The company recently revealed how it plans to update the game with the next patch expected in March. They did this in the latest Bungie Weekly Update where Senior Designer, Jon Weisnewski, said the tuning of Destiny 2’s Exotics is focused on “adding and/or increasing player Power spikes.” The blog post explained that while all items were being considered, special focus is being put on low usage items. Ultimately the company wants to “lean into an item’s established gameplay and push it harder” while avoiding “catch-all improvements that dilute item identity.”

In order to deepen players understanding, Weisnewski offered the Graviton Lance as an example, going on to say that feedback on the weapon is positive on a cosmetic level but it is not a viable weapon for getting kills in various PVP scenarios. To fix this, Bungie is reducing the recoil of the first burst while also introducing new aim assist measures and changing the three shot burst to a two-round burst.

Math Offers An Edge

“This still plays into the fantasy of a low-damage gravity-neutralizing round forming a projectile tunnel for the last bullet,” he said. “It also allows us to ensure the damage per burst is at a competitive level for PVP engagements. In fact, it gives Graviton a slight mathematical edge against other pulse rifles.” (http://bit.ly/2sAaVIb)

According to Weisnewski, this is only one of the ways Destiny 2’s Exotics are changing. Currently, the weapons not being eyed for updates are Merciless, Telesto, Wardcliff Coil, MIDA Multi Tool, Colony, Legend of Acrius, and Vigilance Wing. Bungie decided that these weapons already encapsulated the feeling they wanted the players to have when using one of these ultra-rare weapons.

Some Gear Gets a Touch Up

“We’ll be touching a lot of powerful gear with this update and to truly understand the impact for players requires a lot of design iteration and test time,” Weisnewski said. “It isn’t enough to crank up the damage and run one strike or Crucible match with a gun and helmet and move on. Dialing in the right amount of power, testing in all activities with all types of load outs, finding the bugs, fixing the bugs, updating the perk description text to reflect new behaviour, and then handing that off to localization for translation–it’s a ton of work, but we’re up to it. We sincerely appreciate your patience. I believe it will be worth the wait.” (http://bit.ly/2sAaVIb)

As Bungie has previously detailed on Destiny 2’s roadmap, these changes are expected to go into effect on March 27th when both the Sandbox and Crucible update are launched as part of patch 1.1.4. Right now players can still take part in the Valentines day event, Crimson Days, which adds a 2v2 Crucible playlist. Those that take part have the chance to get there hands on a variety of new loot specific to the limited time event.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Gets Yet Another Release Date

Rockstar Games, the studio behind the beloved Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series, confirmed that the latest installment of their wild west shooter will release on October 26th, 2018. This latest announcement comes from the Rockstar Games Blog where the company was quick to apologize for the most recent delay. Initially, the game was slated for a Spring 2018 release but according to Rockstar the extra time will help them fine tune the experience.

The Official Word

The blog post reads “We are excited to announce that Red Dead Redemption 2 will be released on October 26th 2018. We apologize to everyone disappointed by this delay. While we had hoped to have the game out sooner, we require a little extra time for polish.” Continuing, “We sincerely thank you for your patience and hope that when you get to play the game, you will agree the wait will have been worth it. In the meantime, please check out these screenshots from the game. We look forward to sharing a lot more information with you in the coming weeks.” (http://bit.ly/2DTRI9I)

Rockstar has previously detailed that Red Dead Redemption 2 will follow the protagonist Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde Gang as they get into a variety of mischievous deeds all along the brutal land that was the great American West. The game will release for both the Xbox One and PS4 but as of now, the studio has not announced a PC version.

The Wild West Is Alive In GTA Online

GTA Online recently played a big role in getting fans excited for the upcoming release with determined players quickly finding references to Red Dead related secret missions after a recent update to the game. All players of GTA Online received an in-game email that pointed them in the direction of a new mission that when completed unlocked the Double-Action Revolver.

It is always unfortunate to hear a highly anticipated game is being delayed, but these push backs are very necessary in an industry where polish makes all the difference. Gigamax Games is looking forward to Red Dead 2 so be sure to check back for all the latest information surrounding the game as the release date draws closer!

Anthem From BioWare Gets “Delayed” Until 2019

Unfortunate news for anyone excited about the upcoming action RPG, Anthem. Gamers are going to have to wait an extra year for the ambitious title to come out. Anthem was initially slated to be released in 2018 but now the game that shares many qualities with Destiny will release in 2019. EA confirmed the delay in their quarterly earnings calls with investors. Although, BioWare is claiming that this move is not a delay.

Right before the call, EA spoke with the Wall Street Journal, confirming a recent report from Kotaku that claimed Anthem was delayed. While speaking with the Wall Street Journal, EA’s CFO Blake Jorgensen said that this was not actually a delay, but when the game was supposed to come out all along, going on to state that people were “just trying to make a story.” However, this story doesn’t seem to be line up because the company had previously slated the game to release on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC in 2018.

The World Needs Details

EA did not go into further detail into why their latest IP is now expected to drop in 2019. The initial Kotaku report claims that it was due in part to issues with development. Their statement to Wall Street Journal seems to suggest that BioWare instead wants to wait for a less saturated period for their launch window. Their earnings report made no mention of the news either, so it seems they are sticking to their guns continuing to insist it was not a delay.

In other Anthem news the executive producer behind Dragon Age, Mark Darrah recently confirmed he had joined the project, maintaining his role as executive producer. BioWare has recently gone through a ton of restructuring after the critically frowned upon launch of Mass Effect: Andromeda. While there’s not much hope we’ll hear about an Anthem release date anytime soon, we’ll be sure to deliver all the latest news surrounding the game so be sure to check back for more information.

Sea of Thieves Closed Beta Begins

Today (1/24/18) marks the start of Microsoft’s closed beta for the upcoming pirate simulator, Sea of Thieves. Eligible players for the trial can download the game now so the minute it’s available, they can start playing.

Much like the technical alpha held back in December, the closed beta is restricted to those that entered the Sea of Thieves Insider Program before December 1st or have pre-ordered the title. Xbox One players that already bought the game digitally can find the beta waiting in the ‘My Games and Apps’ section while those who pre-ordered on PC will find it waiting in their library. If you reserved a physical copy at your local retailer, you will need the redeem the code for the Black Dog cosmetic pack on the Microsoft or Xbox store before installing the beta. Xbox One owners should expect a file size of 7.45 GB. If you’d like to read more about the installation process, check out their official website.

When You Can Play

The Sea of Thieves closed beta will begin at 4 AM PT / 7 AM ET / 12 PM GMT on January 24 and runs until 12 AM PT / 3 AM ET / 8 AM GMT on January 29. While the developer, Rare, hasn’t specified what exactly players can expect from the beta, they did say it would not be a portion of the full game. Rare did assure that it would offer a taste of the pirate life.

Sea of Thieves is set to release for both Xbox One and PC on March 20th and will be one of the few games to offer cross-play between the two platforms. It will also be the first game on the Xbox One’s Games Pass program that is available on the service the same day it comes out.

Gigamax Games will be taking part in the closed beta so please don’t forget to check on Youtube or below for an inside look into what Sea of Thieves has to offer!

While the January game releases for the start of 2018 may not be an extensive lineup, most will agree that the first month of this year has some impressive titles. We’re spending most of our time going back and finishing up the long backlog of big releases that came out at the end of 2017, that is until the some of our most anticipated games of the year are released over the next couple weeks. Look below to find the full list of games kicking off 2018 so you know what to spend that hard earned money on!

January’s Biggest Game Releases

Dragon Ball Fighter Z (January 26th)

The Z-Fighters are back with a new fighting game experience that looks like it will finally pull the long-running series out of its video game slump. Players will take control of many iconic characters from throughout Dragon Ball’s history and pummel their friends in a fighting system that seems very similar to Marvel Vs. Capcom. Whether you’re playing as Super Saiyan God Goku or were unlucky enough to get stuck with Krillin, this game is sure to be a blast!

Monster Hunter: World (January 26th)

Killing monsters, gathering materials, and forging new armor, these are a few of our favorite things. Plenty of Monster Hunter fans certainly share our sentiment and on this month players will be able to hop into the iconic world again, but this time in 4K. The series is making its debut on current-gen consoles and based on the beta gameplay, Monster Hunter: World will be eating up a lot of our time in the first quarter. Both longtime fans of the series, as well as newcomers, will find something to love in this incredible hunting game so be sure to check it out!

Dissidia Final Fantasy NT (January 26th)

Are you a fan of the Final Fantasy series? Then Dissidia Final Fantasy NT is a game you can’t miss. This fighting game is an ode to the long-running compendium of games. Players take control of leading heroes including Cloud, Titus, and the most recent protagonist Noctis. The gameplay trailers certainly haven’t disappointed and the cinematic trailers are as beautiful as ever. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of playing a Final Fantasy title this is the game for you!

Full List of January Game Releases

The Escapists 2 – (Nintendo Switch) – Jan 11

Street Fighter V Arcade Edition – (PC, PS4) – Jan 16

Gintama Rumble – (PS4) – Jan 18

World to the West – (Nintendo Switch) – Jan 18

Death Mark – (Switch, PS4) – Jan 19

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory (PS4, Vita) – Jan 19

Kirby Battle Royale – (3DS) – Jan 19

Lost Sphear – (PC, Switch, PS4) – Jan 23

The Inpatient – (PSVR) – Jan 23

Dragon Ball FighterZ – (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – Jan 26

Monster Hunter: World – (PS4, Xbox One) – Jan 26

Railway Empire – (PC) – Jan 26

Dissidia Final Fantasy NT – (PS4) – Jan 30

Will you be purchasing any of the January game releases? Let us know in the comments below and don’t forget to stop by next month for a full list of February’s release dates!

New ESO Expansion Dragon Bones Launches in February

The next big expansion for The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) will be arriving to the game’s various consoles soon. Bethesda released the first details on the upcoming Dragon Bones DLC pack, which is currently set to arrive next month. Besides introducing two new dungeons, it has a host of other new content for players to explore in the popular MMO.

The meat and bones of the Dragon Bones DLC is the set of dungeons named, Scalecaller Peak and Fang Lair. The developer describes the first as “the burial site of a long-dead Dragon Priest,” which is now filled with cultists who plan to unleash a deadly plague upon the world. The second dungeon is an ancient Dwenmer ruin where an evil mage is attempting to revive an ancient dragon.

New Monsters and Old Friends

Players will encounter a host of new monsters contained within the two new dungeons, such as “plague-ridden ogres, powerful sorcerers and their undead creations, and even the reanimated bones of an ancient dragon.” Both will be available in ESO’s Normal and Veteran modes. The harder difficulty will also have a new challenging boss fight at the end of each dungeon which only the strongest can vanquish.

On top of the two new dungeons, the Dragon Bones expansion adds a bunch of new items, monster sets, and achievements. One of the new items players can obtain is named Renegade Dragon Priest Mask, which Skyrim players will recognize from the insanely popular RPG and can be earned by simply entering one of the game’s two new dungeons.

Mark Your Calendars

The Dragon Bones expansion will be hitting ESO in February. Like their previous DLC’s, it non-subscribers can purchase it from the in-game Crown Store, while ESO Plus members will be able to play at no additional cost. Along with the update’s release, Bethesda will roll out Elder Scrolls Online’s next patch, known as Update 17, which all players can take advantage of.

Update 17 introduces several new aspects to ESO, which includes the ability to make your home a storage space and a new clothing system that lets players customize the appearance of their individual pieces of equipment. The update also adds two new PvP arenas: Mor Khazgur and Deeping Drome. However in order to play Battlegrounds mode, players will need the latest Morrowind expansion. If you’d like to learn more about the upcoming expansion you can find all the details from Bethesda’s website.

Diablo 3’s Darkening of Tristram Event Returns

We’re about to step into the new year and as any loyal Diablo 3 fan knows, that means the Darkening of Tristram even is about to go live. Last year marked the 20th anniversary of the popular dungeon crawler and this annual event was created to celebrate the occasion. More than just a small update, the developers recreated one of the original dungeons and dropped it into Diablo 3. This included the pixelated graphics, stiffer animations, and other old-school visual elements. Fans around the world loved Blizzards tribute to the series and it’s about to come back.

Taking A Trip Down Memory Lane

“Your journey begins on the trail of a group of mysterious cultists causing trouble in Sanctuary. As you hunt them down in Adventure Mode, you’ll uncover clues leading to a portal into Tristram’s past, and the terrifying darkness that took hold of the town so many years ago,” Blizzard said.

“Follow the clues and you’ll soon find yourself in a realm of glorious RetroVision™, where an all-too-familiar cathedral looms. Explore the depths and you’ll discover familiar enemies and iconic items, all brought to life in the Diablo III engine. Meanwhile, deep beneath the catacombs, the Dark Lord himself awaits any intrepid adventurer who dares to challenge him.” (http://blizz.ly/2DtuUc4)

Has Anything Changed?

If this all sounds very familiar, that’s because it is. In the comments on the blog post, many Diablo 3 players are saying this appears to be the same exact event they held last year. Some fans are excited that they’ll have a second chance to earn all the loot they missed the first time around, but most are upset Blizzard hasn’t announced anything new. The only clue the developer left to lead longtime fans to believe that they could earn anything new is a quote stating that players can earn “unique transmogrification effects, achievements, portraits, pets, and more.”

The Darkening of Tristram begins at midnight PT on January 1 and runs until January 30. For all of those that missed last years event, take a look at the video above as the Gigamax crew explores this magical event.

GTA 5 Winter Update Brings the Holiday Cheer

To celebrate the holiday season, Rockstar just released a substantial GTA 5 winter update. In the latest patch for Grand Theft Auto’s insanely popular online experience, San Andreas got something relatively uncommon for California, a blanket of snow. Currently, there are free liveries and on Christmas day fans will be able to receive a free car.

Officially known as GTA V’s Festive Surprise Event, the blanket of snow it left behind is for more than just show. Players can put down the guns, pick up snowballs, and chuck them at each other. To throw the snowy winter staple click left on the d-pad on a console, or G on the PC.

Source: http://bit.ly/19NBd8v

Free Rides For All!

The free car Rockstar is handing out is an Albany Hermes Muscle Car which players can claim by logging on Christmas day. The car also comes with 5 free liveries for the thruster. Rockstar is also giving away a free Krampus mask because let’s face it, evil Santa doesn’t get enough credit. If you’re feeling extra festive, holiday-themed clothes are also for sale through in-game shops.

Players can also make their way down to Southern San Andreas Super Autos to purchase another brand new vehicle that was just added to the game. Called the Benefactor Streiter, this SUV is a powerhouse that combines a sleek sporty look with awesome off-road capabilities.

Source: http://bit.ly/19NBd8v

Rockstar previously announced that GTA’s current premium stunt race is the H200, the current time trial is Sawmill which runs through Christmas day. On December 26th, Double Loop will become the stunt race and Cypress Flats will be the time trial. Every player that participates in the winter event races will receive triple RP and on top of that, the leading three racers will get a huge in-game money award. The time trial will also grant a bonus RP and GTA$ award for those that beat the set time. Let us know how you’re enjoying the GTA 5 winter update in the comments below!

Most Anticipated Video Games of 2018

The time is almost here when a new year brings in a host of new adventures to experience. In this list, we take a look at the most anticipated video games of 2018 and when they will be available to play. Unfortunately, not all these dates are set in stone but check back as time goes on for more information as it becomes available.

What games do you think should be added to the list? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter and Facebook.

God of War (PS4) – “Early 2018”

With a groundbreaking series to live up to, this latest look into God of War seems to be the right step for the developers. Experiencing the world as an older and wiser Kratos, the trailers seemed to show a different side of this epic warrior. The world hasn’t had a new God of War since July 14th, 2015 and even that was just a remaster. Gamers are itching to get another chance to play as this powerful god. With no official release, gamers are keeping a close eye on any announcement surrounding this new release.

Days Gone (PS4) – “Early 2018”

Any fan of the survival horror genre will be excited to hear SIE Bend Studio is expected to release Days Gone this upcoming year. The release trailer showed off in 2017 (find it below) immediately left people asking what happened to this decimated world. The main character, a former biker outlaw seems to embrace the terrible situation he finds himself in, ready to shoot and slaughter anything that gets in his way. The impressive gameplay available as of now ranks Days Gone high on the most anticipated video games of 2018.

Anthem (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – Fall 2018

EA had a rough year in 2017. From a loot box controversy and the fallout that followed, it looks as though they want to make up for their blunder with the release of Anthem in 2018. Dubbed a shared-world action-RPG, the gameplay released is visually stunning. The world looks immense and dangers could lurk around every corner. Flying through the world in what resembles an Iron Man suit, players explore the impressive primeval landscape. The graphics and gameplay look absolutely exquisite but depending on how they handle the game post-launch will most likely determine its succus.

Monster Hunter: World (PS4, Xbox One, PC) – January 26th

The Gigamax crew are all huge fans of the Monster Hunter franchise. From the very first time they picked up the PlayStation controller and slain their first monster, they were hooked. Bringing the Monster Hunter experience back to console and those as powerful as the ones we have today is a reason to celebrate. The Monster Hunter: World Beta left people on the edge of their seats just waiting for a chance to play the full game. This is surely set up to be unlike any Monster Hunter that has come before it.

Sea of Thieves (Xbox One, PC) – March 20th

Recently, Gigamax was invited to the Alpha test for Sea of Thieves. Unfortunately, the NDA blocks any gameplay from being shared but the concept is what got people excited. Who hasn’t at one time wanted to bring their friends on a pirate adventure? Sea of Thieves finally gives gamers this opportunity. Take to the high seas in this open-world adventure, completing quests and collecting booty. The progression system ensures everyone and anyone can experience this adventure together, no matter how long anyone has been playing, too.

We Happy Few (PC, PS4, Xbox One) – April 13th

This game has been in early access for a while now and Compulsion Games was making some impressive progress. It seemed as though any time gamers picked it back up, something was being added or improved. Finally, the time has come and on April 13th, 2018 people will have the chance to experience the full game in all of its glory. The story seemed fascinating and that was surely just the beginning. Be sure to check the gameplay below to see what’s in store in We Happy Few.

Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS4, Xbox One) – Spring 2018

People absolutely lost their minds when the official announcement of Red Dead Redemption 2 came out. One of the most popular games in its day, it’s hard to find someone who didn’t like the first game. Now with Red Dead Redemption 2 expected to drop in Spring of 2018, gamers are anxiously waiting for that official release date. There are very few western games out there and Red Dead did it right. Be sure to check back as more information surfaces surrounding one of the most anticipated video games of 2018.

The Last of Us Part II (PS4) – 2018? (Revised)

The Last of Us was an absolutely mind-blowing adventure all the way through. The thrilling yet heartwarming story of a jaded adventure stuck in a world falling apart at the seams meeting up with an unlikely companion left its mark on the gaming community. People just didn’t want it to end and Naughty Dog ensured that the adventure didn’t have to. With more and more reports coming in about The Last of Us Part II is only around halfway completed, it’s looking as though it might miss their 2018 release. Be sure to keep checking back for more information as more details become available.

Don’t forget, let us know what you would put on this list! Add your most anticipated games of 2018 in the comments below or on Twitter and Facebook!

How Sea of Thieves Progression System Works

Have you ever had dreams of sailing the open oceans with a couple of friends and going on an old school pirate adventure? Sea of Thieves is a new indie game that to lets you do just that. While this game can be played solo the developers are encouraging friends to play co-op. One of the biggest issues surrounding multiplayer experiences is friends who’ve spent a different amount of time with the game oftentimes have trouble playing together. Rare wants to rectify this issue with a progression system that works differently for Sea of Thieves.

Friends That Game Together, Stay Together

The ultimate goal of the game is to become a pirate legend, which can be accomplished by increasing reputation with each of the game’s factions. These trading companies offer quests, better known as voyages, for players to complete and earn a variety of awards. Some of these awards are gold, reputation gains, cosmetics, titles, and ranks.

You won’t earn items that put you on an uneven playing field though. This is to avoid a situation that would make it challenging to play with a friend that hasn’t put in the same amount of hours. Every voyage can be shared with any player so that they can be accomplished with a group. A team of players can also implement a democratic voting system so that everyone has a say in what they do next, this definitely comes in handy when playing with random matchmaking partners. Rare also pointed out that you can complete tasks on your own, but you still appear in a shared world with other players.

Sea of Thieves release date was finally revealed for both Xbox One and the PC. After a considerable amount of delays, the game will finally hit the virtual stores on March 20th, 2018. The game also offers cross-play so friends can share their experiences between the two platforms. Gigamax was recently invited to the game’s technical alpha so be sure to check back for some gameplay in the near future!